Synopsis for
"American Idol: The Search for a Superstar"
Live Results Show: One Contestant Eliminated (2008)

American Idol - Top Six Elimination Show - April 23, 2008

Ryan tells us 38 million votes were cast. He intros the judges and kisses Simon on the head. Simon is bewildered.

Group Sing: "All I Ask of You" with Andrew Lloyd Webber on piano. The boys start first. The ladies join in. The mosh pit waves.

In the audience: Abigail Breslin, "Little Miss Sunshine" herself; Lakisha Jones

Ryan makes the "Idols" tour announcement and mentions the songwriting competition one more time.

Recap of last night: ALW digs the kids; Randy thinks it will be tough; Syesha shines; David is earnest; Jason is Jason-y; Brooke goofs up; Carly asks Jesus if he thinks he is what they say he is; David contemplates the power of the music of the night. ALW gives props to all saying they're really terrific. He sits with Ryan and chats about the different audiences the contestants have to perform for: live audience, judges, people at home. (He looks like a weird combo of Austin Powers and Neil Diamond). Randy reiterates the difficulty of singing showtunes, what with all that pesky melody. Ryan asks ALW about Brooke's false start. ALW says he's seen it happen with the pros, that he really felt for her and that she has a bright future. He also mentions her dress rehearsal was flawless. He calls Jason's version of "Memory" the "most curious" song choice and that it was clear, like Simon said, Jason wasn't happy. Ryan asks ALW what would he call a love song he might write for Paula and Simon. He tries out "Time to Say Goodbye" and "How Can I Say I Miss You If You Won't Go Away."

Ford Commercial: "Tainted Love" by Soft Cell. The "Idols" are all acting out an action-packed comic book that David Archuleta is writing. They're sporting leather, big makeup, and teased hair as they drive around a Ford Fusion.

Video Package: President Bush and the First Lady thank viewers for raising $65 million on "Idol Gives Back."

Ryan tells us it will just be a bottom two tonight and points out the steel stools of doom and the comfy couches of safety.

Elimination Part I: He brings out the Davids. The mosh pit goes wild. Ryan asks Cook why he sang his song straight instead of switching it up like he normally does. David figured it would be more unpredictable to do the song the way it was written. Ryan asks if Archuleta had a tough week in terms of preparation. He says every week is crazy and that he was glad with what he did. They're both safe. (There's a shot of the four remaining contestants backstage waiting and Jason is in the middle of huge yawn. Not covering his mouth I must add.)

Video package: We check in with the "Idols" who've hit Broadway. We see Tamyra Gray from season 1, who's in "Rent." We see Clay Aiken, from season 2, who's in "Spamalot." We get backstage tours from both. Clay pimps his new album, out May 6. They both love their lives.

Performance: Leona Lewis, Simon's discovery from his British talent competition "X-Factor." She sings her current hit "Bleeding Love." (Fun fact: Jesse McCartney co-wrote this song).

Elimination Part II: Syesha and Brooke are called out. Ryan asks why it seemed so easy for Syesha last night. She says it was because she was acting, which made her made her less nervous about being judged. He asks Brooke about starting over. She says she made the right choice. He asks why she bit her tongue during the judging. She admits that she recognizes she has a habit of interrupting the judges and she apologizes to them and says last night she decided to just listen. Brooke is safe. Syesha is freaking. Paula gives Syesha a pep talk.

Elimination Part III: Carly and Jason. Ryan asks Carly about her song selection. She vacillated between two different ones, as we heard last night. She admits that she hasn't been choosing songs for her own fun but to showcase her singing ability. From here on out she plans to have fun. (Ooh bad omen). Jason is safe. Carly is not. Ryan asks Simon what happened since he deemed Carly good and Jason not good. He says hey, there's only six people left and that's how the cookie crumbles. He points out that Brooke goofed up but made herself human. And he says Jason wasn't good but he was charming.

Sing Out: Both Syesha and Carly will sing now instead of at the end. Carly begins and instructs everyone to get up for her reprise of "Superstar." She's having fun. Syesha seems a little more nervous and she's not as sassy as last night. (She even heads out into the crowd like she knows she's going home. The better for the producers of "The Color Purple" to see her up close. If they revive "Purlie" she could totally shine in that).

Going Home: Carly Smithson. Syesha and Carly, who are roommates, have a long hug. Ryan calls Carly "a real star ladies and gentleman." All the judges stand for her. Ruben celebrates Carly home. The "Idols" hug. Simon tells her she can leave with her head held high. A relaxed Carly says she's very proud of herself and that she's not sad she's going home.

Next Week's Theme: Neil Diamond (Ooh, Kristy Lee missed her chance to sing "America.")